Annual Report2015-16

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ANNUAL REPORT

2015-16

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Annual Report

2015-16

CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR

RESEARCH, NAGPUR

Published byDr. K. R. KranthiDirectorCentral Institute for Cotton Research, NagpurEditorial CommitteeDr. K. R. KranthiDr. M.V. VenugopalanDr. (Mrs) Sandhya KranthiDr. D. BlaiseDr. (Mrs) S.B. SinghDr. S.B. NandeshwarCompilation, Collation and ProductionDr. Mahendra Singh YadavMrs. Vandana SatishCorrect CitationCICR, Annual Report 2015-16ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research,Nagpur, IndiaPP. 100Note• No part ofthis report shall be reproduced without permission of ICAR/CICR.• The reference to some trade names in this report is in no wayan endorsement of or

discrimination againstthese products by the Institute.

Printed At: Surya Offset, Ramdaspeth, Nagpur

IIPREFACE

The year 2015-16 was productive on many counts from R&D perspective. The institute developed severalexciting technologies, machinery, cotton varieties, cropping systems, new genes and new concepts. Asmall scale tractor mounted cotton picking prototype was developed in collaboration with ICAR-CIRCOTand Mahindra Pvt Ltd. The prototype machine was found to be promising. A simple hand held low costdevice for instantaneous (10 seconds) detection of nitrogen deficiency in cotton leaves. The deviceinstantaneously provides voice based recommendation of ameliorative measures in vernacular languagebased on diagnosis. Genotyping data for 2730 SNPs, mapped on 29 linkage groups, were used for OTLmapping. Ten OTLs were identified for staple length, tenacity and micronaire. Marker assisted breeding(MAB) for Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) Resistant Suraj using CIR 246 is in the Back-cross-2 (BC-2) stage.SSR markers BNL 3279 and NAU 2152 are being used (BC-1) in MAB for nematode resistance. More than3000 germ plasm accessions were evaluated and several new lines were identified for tolerance to drought,waterlogging, cotton leaf curl virus, whiteflies and leaf hoppers. Cry1Ac based Bt-cotton event Tg2E-13event was obtained from Delhi University (DU) and first crosses were made with elite varieties. Gossypoldetoxifying gene cyp6ae14 was subcloned in to bacterial expression vector pET28c. Ten genes, ethylene-responsive element binding factor (ERF) 1, 2, 3. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) 1,2,3 Alphapinene, Lipoxygense 1, Allene oxide synthase 6 and Methyl jasmonate transferase were characterizedusing real-time (RT) PCR to elucidate their role in systemic acquired resistance in cotton. Inter-specificvariation in volatile emission in 3 species of Gossypium in response to leaf hopper, caterpillar andmechanical damage was investigated. Pink bollworm infested cotton flowers were found to have higherlevels of ~ Caryophyllene, methyl ester of pentadecanoic acid and linolenic acid, which are precursors ofjasmonic. Out of the Bioassays pink bollworm populations of 39 districts, evaluated for resistance to Bt-cotton, populations in 15 districts were confirmed to have developed resistance to Bollgard-II(Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab); 20 populations were resistant to Bollgard (Cry1 Ac) and 18 populations were resistant toCry2Ab. Under high density planting systems, LRK 516, Suraj JT, CNH 1111, CSH 3075, CNH 09-4, CSH3075, AKA 8, RG-540, CNA375, Phule Dhanwantary, CNA418, MDLABB and CISA 6 were found to mostpromising.

Twenty legumes were evaluated as intercrops for compatibility and N fixation. Cluster bean, soybean andground nut and cowpea were found to enhance benefits of yield and nitrogen fixation. Structured waterirrigated plots had higher cotton yield than the bore well irrigated plots. Cotton seedlings raised in papertube rolls when transplanted in the field established quickly and yielded more than the direct sown cotton.

Last year, two major factors affected yields negatively. Whitefly outbreaks in Punjab and the pink bollwormresistance to Bt-cotton in Gujarat, Karnataka, AP, MP and parts of Maharashtra emerged as seriousproblems that needed attention. The institute played a stellar role to assist stakeholders in combating thecrisis efficiently. Bt-cotton hybrids that were tolerant to whiteflies and the leaf curl virus were identified andthe list provided to the concerned Government departments. Regular weekly advisories in 8 languageswere issued on the institute web-site to assist farmers throughout the season. Under a programme calledE-Kapas, regular voice mail weekly advisories were sent to more than 225,000 registered farmers in eight

ICAR-CICR ANNUAL REPORT 2015-161

vernacular languages. Situation was under control wherever the advisories were implemented.

As a research institute the ICAR-CICR has been working hard to identify best practices across the globe,that can be adapted for India and adopted to enhance yields. Additionally, focus has been on indigenousnative species such as Gossypium arboreum in efforts to establish sustainable low cost high yielding cottonproduction systems for India. With the natural robustness of Desi species where there is tolerance toinsects, diseases and drought, development of new premium fibre varieties with 30 mm fibre length makesthem precious. The institute will be coordinating multi-location trials of eight Desi varieties (Gossypiumarboreum) with long staple fibre varieties, during 2016-17 at 15 locations across the country. The premiumfibre Desi varieties suitable for spinnable purpose will have a special place in north India where Americancotton hybrids were found to be highly susceptible to the cotton leaf curl virus in stark contrast to the Desicotton varieties which are immune to the virus.

Scientists of the institute spearheaded the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' in 65 villages. Soil health cards weredistributed in the villages and remedial measures were taken up. Five hundred tribal families were adoptedby the institute underTribal Sub Plan.

I am grateful to DrT. Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR; Dr S. Ayyappan, former Secretary, DARE &DG, ICAR; Dr J. S. Sandhu, DDG (CS); Dr N Gopalakrishnan, former ADG (CC) and Dr R. K. Singh, ADG(CC) fortheir constant encouragement, guidance and support. The Heads of Divisions Dr Sandhya I$ranthi,Dr Blaise Desouza and Dr Suman Bala Singh and Dr D. Monga, Head, Regional Station, Sirsa, and DrA. H.Prakash, PC and Head, Regional Station, Coimbatore have contributed immensely to the technicalexecution of research programmes and their documentation in this report. I thank them for all for theexcellent camaraderie and support. Dr M. V. Venugopalan, Dr M. S. Yadav and Mrs Vandana Satishdeserve to be highly commended for their outstanding inputs and commitment to all aspects related to thisannual report.

Hope is not a just a dream, it is about faith for dreams to come true. Science has the power to give shape todreams. I earnestly hope that all our scientific efforts at the institute will eventually make our dreams for thefarmers turn into reality. Our endeavour is to develop 'India-centric technologies' that can help the cottonfarmer to cultivate cotton in a sustainable manner without the need for any harmful chemicals, at lowproduction costs to obtain highest possible yields in ecologically compatible production systems. We hopeto succeed.

(K. R. Kranthi)Director

I ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 ICAR-CICR

_II CONTENTS

Preface1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 0012. INTRODUCTION 0113. RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS 013

3.1 : Cotton Genetic Resources 0133.2 : Hybrid Cotton 0163.3 : Genetic Improvement 0173.4 : Genetic Diversity through Introgression 0213.5 : Development of Variety and Multi-location Testing 0223.6 : State Multi-location Varietal Trial (SMVT) 0233.7 : Molecular Breeding 0233.8 : Development of Transgenic Cotton 0263.9 : Seed Production and Technology 0283.10 : Nutrient Management 0313.11 : High Density Planting System (HDPS) for Maximizing Productivity 0323.12 : Weed Management 0343.13 : Soil Biology and Biochemistry 0353.14 : Abiotic Stress Management 0353.15 : Cropping Systems 0363.16 : Water Management 0373.17 : Morpho-frame/Boll Management 0383.18 : Transplanting of Cotton Seedlings 0383.19 : Mechanization of Cotton Production 0383.20 : Socio Economic Dimensions of Cotton Farming 0393.21 : Seasonal Dynamics of Insect Pests and Diseases 0403.22 : Diversity of Insect Pests 0433.23 : New Genes and Gene Sources for Pest Management 0433.24 : Assessment of Refugia Seed Packets Procured from Open Market 0453.25 : Development of New Methods, Tools and Protocols 0463.26 : Natural Enemies and Biological Control for Insect Pests 0463.27 : Integrated Pest Management 0503.28 : Simulation Models 0523.29 : Host Plant Resistance 053

4. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSED AND TRANSFERRED 0555. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING 0586. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 0677. LINKAGES AND COLLABORATIONS 0688. AICRP ON COTTON 0699. KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA 07310. GENERAL 079

10.1 : Research Papers Published in Refereed Journals 07910.2 : List of On-going Projects 08110.3 : Consultancy, Patents, Commercialization ofTechnology 08410.4 : Significant Decisions of RAC, IRC, IMC 08510.5 : Other Important Workshop/Symposia/Meetings 08710.6 : Results - Framework Document (RFD) Committee 08810.7 : Participation of Scientists in Seminars/ Symposia/ Workshops / Meetings .. 08910.8 : Distinguished Visitors 09210.9 : Personnel 09310.10 : Other Information 09410.11 : Weather 09910.12 : Cotton Scenario 100

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